IT Certificates FAQ

The non-credit IT certificates offered through Columbus State’s Workforce Innovation department are short-term educational programs that teach new skill and build relevant, employer-desired proficiencies for in-demand IT jobs. Upon completion, students are granted a ‘Certificate of Completion’ and an Acclaim digital badge to display your accomplishment online and on digital social media profiles. Non-credit courses are not transferable and do not count towards college credit.

Credit courses are designed for students who have interest in earning measurable educational units toward a college degree or certificate recognized by an accrediting body in higher education.

Non-credit courses and programs are typically pursued by individuals who are interested in furthering their education or building on skills that will help expand knowledge and broaden their understanding in a discipline area with purpose to become more effective in their careers or area of interest.

IT certificate courses are NOT financial aid eligible through federal funding sources. If you are seeking financial assistance, we suggest contacting your employer human resources’ department to learn about tuition assistance and reimbursement/preimbursement models the company may offer.

Every employer is different. If you are seeking financial assistance we suggest contacting your human resources’ department to learn about tuition assistance and reimbursement/preimbursement models that may be available.

Instructors are typically working in IT roles in Central Ohio, regularly using the skills that they are teaching. We believe that our instructors’ ability to add stories of real-life scenarios and application of learning adds immense value to the learning experience for students.

Each class runs once per week and averages 2.5 hours of in-class time. For the most successful learning outcomes, we recommend students plan to dedicate 12-15 additional uninterrupted study hours per week.

Most of our courses are available in person, as well as through a virtual classroom format, meaning you do not have to be present in the classroom; however, you will need to login and participate in your class at the designated class time(s) set for that term. Class timeframes vary, but are generally between the hours of 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

In Class: Each class will meet once a week in The Center for Workforce Development in the assigned room given to you during registration.

Virtual: If you cannot access our downtown campus or choose to participate remotely, you will login to your class during the scheduled class time for participation.

Online: We are currently offering only one course as purely online Data Analytics- Intro to Statistics. This course has an instructor, office hours and weekly graded assignments. More online courses may be offered in the future based upon demand.

The certificate programs are designed to build relevant, employer-desired skills to prepare you for in-demand jobs in IT; however, CSCC is currently unable to offer career services support in non-credit programs. There are not currently any employers who are guaranteeing interviews upon program completion.

The foundation courses in the Data Analytics and Cybersecurity programs are organized as ‘competency based’. This format recognizes prior learning by providing students the opportunity to test out of each unit in the courses. For units in which a student receives a passing grade on the unit test out assessment, the student does not have to complete any assignments for that unit and can move to the next unit. For units where a student does not achieve a passing grade on the test out assessment, or if a student chooses not to take the test-out assessment, the student is expected to complete all assignments for that unit and pass the unit exam. This format allows students to move very quickly through courses in which they already have some subject matter knowledge.

If you do not pass a course, you cannot continue the program with your cohort to obtain a certificate of completion. Since there are not multiple class sections being taught simultaneously or frequently, it could take up to 1 year for a course to be offered again. It is imperative that you begin this program when are confident that you can commit the time required to completing the coursework.

Columbus State is an open enrollment college and anyone is welcome to participate in Extended Business IT certificate programs. The prerequisite for program entry is to take the Readiness Evaluation.

Click Here for a step-by-step guide on how to register for the Readiness Evaluation.

You must earn a score of at least an 80% in a course to continue to the next course. When you have successfully completed each course in your chosen certificate program, you will participate in a culminating capstone, be awarded a certificate of completion, and an Acclaim badge.

We currently expect to start one cohort per year in each program. That number may increase based on demand.

All books needed for the program are online and access is available free of cost to registered students.

Students must also have regular access to a laptop to complete coursework. Students are expected to bring the laptop to class each week.

Recommended Minimum Hardware Specs:

• 1.9 GHz or faster processor
• 8 GB Disk Space Available
• 8 GB RAM
• Operating system: Windows 7 or higher, macOS 10.10+

Certifications usually entail a formal assessment or exam process to earn a credential in a specialized area and typically requires prior knowledge and expertise in that given area.

Certificates are usually attained by undergoing an educational process or program that demonstrates knowledge and shows successful completion of educational coursework or programs.

The IT Certificate program can earn students a certificate after course completion but does not give students certification in any IT niche.

The Cybersecurity program, however, helps prepare students for an industry-recognized certification as a Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) and gives students an opportunity to sit for this exam.